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Public volleyball court served up in Pinckney

Amanda Whitesell
Published 12:31 a.m. ET Aug. 3, 2014

A steady rain didn't put a damper on the first game played at the volleyball court built at Pinckney’s Portage Dells subdivision, at least until lightning was spotted. Serving the ball is Chris Teselios as his wife, Jan Slotnick, left, watches.(Photo: GILLIS BENEDICT/DAILY PRESS & ARGUS)

Jan Slotnick’s ideal morning would involve peering out her window and seeing Pinckney-area residents playing volleyball.

That’s now possible, after the Pinckney resident and her husband, Chris Teselios, oversaw the installation of a new volleyball court at Loy Bond Park, at Elizabeth and Lee streets. It’s the only park owned by the village of Pinckney, yet it’s somewhat hidden in the Portage Dells subdivision.

The two came up with the idea for the court after traveling to visit Slotnick’s father in Florida, where they witnessed volleyball as a way to gather and have fun.

Their three daughters, now grown, once rode their bikes and sleds down a small hill in the park, which once contained a well pump. After the pump was removed, Slotnick said, there was a lack of “things to do.”

About 30 people came out to the inaugural game held at the court Tuesday, despite a downpour that ended it early. Games will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the park this summer.

“I’m just thankful that people did show up,” Slotnick said. “We got a lot of support from people.”

The couple worked with a few friends to excavate the space for the court July 25-26. Village workers cleared the dirt and brought in sand Monday. The Village Council allotted $700 toward the purchase of sand last month.

Municipal officials are hopeful for a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Recreation Passport grant that would further update the park, which contains some playground equipment and an outdated baseball field likely built in the 1970s, when it was dedicated to longtime former Pinckney Department of Public Works Supervisor Loy Bond.